What is it about tiny food that is so appealing? You know what I'm talking about...food in miniature. Smaller versions of big food, if you will. Dessert in shot glasses, bites of Mac 'N Cheese, Petit Fours...all tastier because they are tiny. Of course, if we are talking about tiny food, we can't forget the slider, usually a small burger and aptly named because it slides so easily down the throat. Perfect snack food material, if you ask me. Since a burger slider is so two years ago,however, let's go for a Grilled Cheese Slider....an easy snack, that's fun to make!

Step 1: Ingredients/Tools

4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 dash cayenne pepper
1 loaf French bread (a baguette)
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cutting board
1 bread knife
1 baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat
1 basting brush
1 mixing bowl
1 wooden spoon or spatula for mixing
measuring spoons

Step 2: Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.; line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the cream cheese, onion, shredded cheese, and seasonings. Set aside.

Trim the ends of the baguette and, using a serrated bread knife, cut the loaf into 1/2 inch slices. Lay the bread slices on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly brush one side of each bread slice with olive oil and then turn over half of the slices so that the oiled side is on the parchment paper. Place a heaping tablespoon of the cheese mixture on one of the turned over slices. Top the cheese with another slice of bread, oiled side up. Repeat for all of the slices.

Bake the sliders for 10 minutes, turn them over and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Note: Substitute this cheese mixture with your cheese of choice, if desired. Small slices of American cheese work well, as does heaping tablespoons of plain shredded cheese.